Secret Admirer

Part III

xXx

The first package came for Hermione with the morning post on Monday. A long rectangular box wrapped in simple brown paper and secured with a satiny red ribbon. Simple yet elegant, just like the young woman it was meant for.

"Careful Theo, you're a little obvious there." Draco leaned over, following Theo's line of sight across the great hall. "Did you send her that?"

"Maybe." Theo replied, watching as Hermione pulled the lid off the box. Thankfully she was facing the Slytherin table.

"Hm, red roses, good call." Draco continued. "Who knew you were such a romantic."

Theo sighed, turning to look at his stepbrother. "Do you mind, I'm trying to appreciate the moment."

Draco threw his hands up defensively and drew back, a mocking smirk on his face. Theo didn't rise to the unspoken bait, turning back just in time to watch Hermione open the card. He bit back a smile as he watched hers spread across her face. She spoke to the table a moment later as she slipped the card into her pocket. When the box was resealed she stood from the table, ignoring Ron and Lavender as they both spoke with Fred and George Weasley.

Hermione turned to walk away only for Ron to call out, stopping her. She said something which didn't seem to sit well with Ron before turning on her heels and walking out.

"Not going after her mate?" Draco spoke up again when she was gone. Theo sighed, looking back at the table to fix himself another cup of tea.

"You're particularly annoying today." Theo finally replied. Draco didn't look the slightest bit repentant.

"What can I say Mate, it's about damn time."

Theo rolled his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you don't." Draco shook his head. "Whatever, it doesn't matter. The point is, you finally did something about your crush. Does she know they're from you?"

"What's the answer that ends this conversation?"

Draco scowled. "Seriously, Theo, I'm just looking out for you."

Theo smirked. He had very little doubt his adopted brother didn't have his best interest in mind. "And I appreciate that, but maybe a little space while we figure this out, huh?" he replied, standing from the table.

Draco sighed. "Fine," he relented. "But I expect details eventually."

Theo shook his head, walking away.

The second package came with the evening post. A small box wrapped in brown shipping paper and secured with twine. Ron was a bit red in the face as he spoke, but no one seemed to be paying him any attention. Ginny on the other looked excited as she watched Hermione unwrap the simple package.

Hermione was once again facing the Slytherin table a fact he was certain was no coincidence. She looked utterly thrilled by the contents, lighting butterflies in his stomach as she looked up, smiling brightly.

"What's this one?" Draco asked, keeping his voice low.

"A cupcake from her favorite bakery." Theo replied.

"Ooo, not bad."

Theo rolled his eyes. "I can't tell you what it means to me to have your approval." he added, sarcasm dripping.

Draco merely grinned. "I know. And of course I will always be here to tell you when you are wrong."

"Gee, thanks."

"I've got your back, mate."

Theo sighed. He watched Hermione on and off for the rest of dinner. Every so often she would look across the Great Hall at him, her eyes sparkling with joy. A vast improvement over her demeanor on Saturday night. It had been painful to watch her so upset that night, crying over someone who didn't deserve her tears.

Theo had spent a disproportionate amount of time the next day coming up with ways to hurt Ronald Weasley the way he had hurt Hermione, but at the end of the day he knew she wouldn't want that. So, he settled on a much different course of action. A little something to brighten her day and maybe even piss off Ron in the process.

The rest of the week, two packages a day were delivered, one with each post. Each time Theo watched as Hermione's face lit up, her friends enjoying how happy she seemed to be. It also didn't hurt that Ron seemed more and more agitated by the attention she was receiving by the still unnamed admirer.

Every night after dinner Theo would meet Hermione in the library to study. She would thank him for the gifts and tell him that he didn't have to do that for her, but he would brush it off and they would get to studying, at least for a little while. At some point they would "take a break" disappearing into the hidden alcoves at the back of the library, like they had on that first night.

That first night had been interesting. They hadn't meant to spend all that time in the library the way they had, but Hermione had wanted to be as far away from other people as possible, so they made their way into the back, a small area backed into the farthest wall and surrounded by bookshelves. There was a little two person sofa and a small table that had seen better days there. Hermione and Theo had made themselves comfortable and talked for a good long while.

They talked about pretty much anything that came to mind, from classes to their home life. He asked her all sorts of questions about growing up as a muggle and in return she asked him about pureblood traditions. The topics of their conversations varied throughout the night. She'd mention little things from the muggle world without thinking and then have to explain it, which only seemed to excite Theo, to the point where she invited him to visit her when they were home for breaks.

Neither of them were really sure when it had happened. He'd like to think it wasn't so stereotypical that all it took was her laughing at one of his jokes to work up the courage to tell her that he had a crush on her. She took it well though, and even admitted that she could see herself feeling the same for him. That was when he decided to woo her. She told him that she had every reason to give him a chance and he was absolutely going to put the effort in to win her over and steal her away from the asshole who didn't even know he was at risk of losing the best thing that could ever happen to him.

xXx

The corridors were mostly empty, only a stray student or two going to and from the great hall and the dorms. It was quiet and Theo loved every minute of it. This was one of his favorite times of day. The sun was just setting, the air was crisp and the usual chatter and bustle of his fellow students was low. It was perfect.

Theo didn't find her that Friday night in their usual place. Instead he found a note waiting for him.

"Room of Requirements"

Theo made his way up, expertly avoiding any other students and teachers. Once there, he followed the usual routine and thinking of her, revealing a door in the once empty space. Theo reached forward and opened the door, pushing it inward and stepping through.

Beyond the door was a room Theo had never seen before. The walls were lavender and judging by the bed it was undoubtedly a bedroom. Hermione sat cross legged on the bed and smiled at him when their eyes met.

"Is this your room?" he asked.

"It is. It was the first place I thought of, but if you want to change it."

"That's alright. I like it. It's very… you." he told her, smirking as she looked away to hide the blush.

"So why here instead of the library?" he asked, moving closer to the bed. He set his bag down on the floor and took a seat on the edge.

"I just thought that since it's Friday and we don't have class tomorrow, we could just… hang out?"

Theo was certain she hadn't meant that to come out as a question. She looked concerned as she said it, like she was worried he would reject her all of a sudden. "I'd like that." he replied putting her mind at ease. She smiled again, lighting a swarm of butterflies in his stomach.

The night was spent in comfortable conversation, the lights dim as they talked in soft tones. Hermione was delighted to hear more stories of his childhood, entirely enamored with the opulence of Peacocks roaming the Malfoy estate. Theo on the other hand was mesmerized by her descriptions of her favorite family holidays to the shore.

Theo wasn't entirely sure how they had gotten here. One minute they were talking about something innocuous and the next Hermione was on her back, his lips sealed to hers, her legs tangled with his. His head was spinning but in the best way. Hermione moaned as he trailed his lips down the side of her neck, sucking a mark into her collar bone.

"Theo." she breathed as he kissed his way back up.

"You're so beautiful." he muttered as he planted kisses here and there. He pulled away after one last kiss along her jaw. He stared down at her, memorizing the way her face flushed and her eyes glazed over in lust. "Tomorrow starts another Hogsmeade weekend." he began softly. "Would you do me the honor of going with me?"

Hermione smiled up at him. "I would love to." she replied, hooking a finger into the collar of his shirt and pulling him down to her again.